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The Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid-electric vehicle will get 95 mpg-e in electric mode and 50 mpg combined in hybrid operation. Photo by Toyota

Three years ago, Toyotabragged that the prototype plug-in versions of the Prius were regularly nailing 65 mpg in real-world combined electric-gasoline operation. With the production model about to drop, the company has released the official EPA figures: 95 mpg-e during fully electric operation and 50 mpg combined during normal hybrid use.

The EPA says that the socket-ready Toyota is good for 11 miles of purely electric operation on a charge. When said charge is depleted, the combined economy is identical to the bog-standard third-gen Prius, a car beloved of denizens of California commuter purgatory due to the little yellow stickers the state used to clear the cars for solo motoring in carpool-specific corridors.

Now that the yellow-sticker program has expired, the scramble is on for the next green commute-time slasher, and the new plug-in model conveniently qualifies for the new AT PZEV exception, a program that runs until Jan. 1, 2015.

In further good news for Californians, on top of the federal tax credit, the Prius Plug-In also qualifies for a $1,500 rebate from the state, to be meted out on a first-come, first-served basis. The program is available to both individuals who and organizations that purchase the car or sign up for at least a 36-month lease.

A few short years ago, one could've used that cash to pay for a pretty sizable chunk of a clean Porsche 914. You know, as something to slake your thirst for primitive motoring after all that bland, responsible commuting. Apparently, that's no longer the case.